Themes of strength, empowerment, determination, loyalty and lasting friendship while in pursuit of an ‘impossible’ task formed the centrepiece of the 2023 Dr Uncle Lewis Yarlupurka O’Brien Oration, presented by Associate Professor Natalie Harkin.

Guests heard the history of the incredible friendship between Elizabeth ‘Betty’ Fisher and Gladys ‘Aunty Glad’ Elphick, which formed as they embarked on a journey of collecting, recording and documenting a lifetime of achievements, activism, struggles and successes as they prepared to write a book on Aunty Glad’s incredible life. The amount of work involved became overwhelming and Betty was never able to complete the book. However, in 2018 she gifted this huge and eclectic archive to Associate Professor Harkin on the provison that she promise to complete the book that they had commenced in 1964.

As Associate Professor Harkin spoke about her ongoing work to complete the book on Aunty Glad’s life and her role in establishing the Council of Aboriginal Women, guests of the 2023 Dr Uncle Lewis Yarlupurka O’Brien Oration, including many friends and family of Betty and Aunty Glad, were treated to a beautiful retelling of the story of two women whose friendship forms part of a legacy that will live on.

If you were unable to attend this captivating Oration, you can watch the recording here.